Eternal Summer in Iceland

After a Flybus transfer from the airport, our tour begins at our hotel in Reykjavik in the late afternoon. The compact capital city of Iceland is well worth exploring, and we strongly recommend a couple of extra days before or after your tour. Two of the most striking attractions are the Hallgrímskirkja Church, a fine example of expansionist architecture with great views from the tower, and the beautiful Harpa Concert Hall. The nearby old harbour is a great starting point to explore the narrow streets of the old town. We have a welcome briefing this evening, usually around 6. 30pm (D).

Prepare to unwind today with time at the Krauma geothermal baths. There's a cold bath to get our circulation firing, but five warm ones to soothe away any aches and pains. Next, we hit the road, heading to a fishing village to climb to the top of a lighthouse for panoramic views. Bring walking shoes for a 4mi (6km) hike to the Eldborg Crater before we move on to a secret waterfall. We dine at the hotel in Reykholt tonight. This is the town where Snorri Sturluson lived, a medieval chronicler of Norse sagas and histories. His influence can still be felt around Reykholt (B).

Today is jam-packed with activities as we venture further into Iceland, first visiting Thingvellir National Park. The Thingvellir plain is on the boundary where the Eurasian and American tectonic plates are pulling away from each other, creating dramatic rivers and fissures across the landscape. Next, we see Geysir, known as the original hot-water geyser that gave all the others their name. After admiring views over a valley of eerie blue pools and mud pots, we continue to Gullfoss on the Hvita River to see a two-tiered waterfall cascading into a canyon. At Fridheimar Greenhouse, we learn how Mediterranean vegetables are grown in the Icelandic climate using geothermal energy. This is where we stop to eat, sampling their homegrown tomatoes. Dinner is served at Olverk Pizza and Brewery tonight. We enjoy a tour and tasting, before tucking into delicious pizza.

Later, there's the option to take a midnight dip in the Reykjadalur Hot Creek – a cocoon of warmth under the midnight sun (B).

Another day of adventure awaits as we discover two spectacular waterfalls: Skogafoss and Kvernufoss. We can get up close and personal, standing near the bottom to hear their thunder, or climb the steps to the top. Then, fully kitted with crampons, an ice axe and helmet, we unleash our inner adventurers on a glacier walk, with our guide leading us over the ice on a memorable hike. The adventure continues on a two-hour quad bike tour. We navigate black volcanic sand to the abandoned wreck of a 1973 US Navy plane. We return to Reykjavik in time for dinner (B).

It's a relaxed start today. We head to the exquisite Blue Lagoon for a day of silica mud masks and relaxing in the milky-blue, mineral-rich waters, before our return journey home (B).